CMED hearing nears completion

Crime Reporter CMED disciplinary “authority” presiding over the case of suspended managing director Mr Davison Mhaka for his alleged involvement in a fuel scam that prejudiced the parastatal of $3 million is in the process of winding up his disciplinary hearing. In an interview yesterday, board chairman Mr Godwills Masimirembwa confirmed the developments.

“The disciplinary hearing is continuing and it’s about to be concluded,” he said.

He said the last hearing was conducted on Monday but could not divulge any other information surrounding the case.

“The criminal aspect has to do with the police and the Prosecutor-General’s Office,” Mr Masimirembwa said.

Meanwhile, police said they were still waiting for a response for them to be able to conduct extra-territorial investigations on the case.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba that they were still waiting for a response from Government on the applications made to conduct investigations in other countries.

In December last year, key witnesses in the $3 million fuel scam gave evidence to a Justice Simbi Mubako-led probe team.

Senior management at CMED, including Mr Mhaka and fuel manager Mr Brian Manjengwa are accused of fraud or theft and gross negligence. Mr Manjengwa has since been sacked.

Members of the disciplinary committee are labour practitioners Mr Rogers Matsikidze and Mr Patrick Chingoka.

The CMED is represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu, while Advocate Lewis Uriri is Mr Mhaka’s lawyer.

The board is charging Mr Mhaka with theft and fraud for deliberately or negligently acting in collusion with First Oil to defraud CMED, gross unsatisfactory work performance, incompetence and inefficiency.

He is accused of authorising the tender award to a company that did not have a valid import licence and that did not appear on the State Procurement Board list of bulk fuel sup- pliers.